The first step in my care was pruning. One of my people, the one who took up the challenge to lead in caring for me, found a knowledgeable person to guide in my pruning. “This one is infected,” he advised. and they chose to cut it away to keep it from infecting the rest of me. “This one is dead. It can be removed.” That left more room and energy for the healthy parts of me to grow and thrive.
I hope my little church does the same for itself as it begins its renewal following Covid. I hope it looks at each of its ministries and makes a strategic, theological decision. “Is this part of our ministry healthy? Can it be nurtured and brought back to health? Or is it infected? Does it need to be abandoned to make room for new ideas? Do we have the resources to make this ministry as strong as it could be? What will it take to do so?” I am feeling stronger and healthier already with the diseased and dead parts of me gone. Now I can focus on growing strong and healthy. I am so grateful that the people of this little church on the corner chose to respond to Jesus’s parable by caring for me.
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“A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6b-9
Hi there. I am Fiona and I am a sad little fig tree by the side of the road at Brookhaven United Methodist Church. I was planted here several years ago in honor of the pastor that was leaving, Pastor Sara. I was proud to represent the pastor and the wonderful folks of this church, but I have not been doing well lately. Some of my branches are sick and dying. But a couple of weeks ago my people read the parable of the fig tree and someone remembered that I am here. The parable talks about cutting down the fig tree. Will that happen to me? You know the church is like me. They are going through some rough times, just like many churches are and the effects of COVID have not helped. Every so often they have the same fears I do. "Will they close us down?" they ask. But I just need some tender loving care, as do they. The gardener in the parable promises to care for the fig tree so that it can bear fruit. My people chose to be the gardener and care for me. They will dig around me and feed me and give me what I need to thrive. At the same time, they are working to find what they need to thrive. I dream that we will grow and thrive together and produce wonderful fruit. Follow my tales to see what our future together holds. |
AuthorFiona Fig lives on the property at Brookhaven United Methodist Church and is hoping to thrive, just as the little church on the corner is hoping to thrive. Follow Fiona's adventures as her fate entangles with that of the wonderful people who care for her. ArchivesCategories |